An additional $97.5 million will go to South Carolina’s unemployment trust fund. U.S Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis made the announcement along with House Majority Whip James Clyburn and House Budget Committee Chair John Spratt, both of South Carolina.
The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce can use the funds to pay unemployment benefits, or state lawmakers can appropriate it for administering the unemployment program.
The funding will help more part-time workers who have lost their jobs, also workers who entered the workforce recently and those who had to leave their jobs due to compelling family reasons.
South Carolina qualified for its full share of available stimulus funds by enacting a variety of provisions that allow more workers who lose jobs through no fault of their own to receive unemployment compensation.
Secretary Solis says South Carolina now joins 34 other states receiving the unemployment insurance funds.
Representative John Spratt, who represents South Carolina’s 5th District, says the recession hit South Carolina hard.
AUDIO: Spratt on much needed unemployment funds (1:16)
Clyburn, who represents the 6th District, says, “Unemployment benefits have an immediate simulative effect on the economy and positive impacts on working families who have lost jobs through no fault of their own.”
